Ever since I was pizza-ing and french fry-ing, I’ve been skiing on the Ice Coast. Blaring snow guns, granular ice, and bracing for impact are just a few images that come to mind. It wasn’t until I was 9 years old when I got my first taste of West Coast skiing. After that trip out to The Bird I was forever changed. I couldn’t get enough of the world of endless pow and fat planks that lay beyond the East Coast. I love both coasts and their mountains for different reasons. Having a boot in both worlds has allowed me to easily spot a true East Coast skier from a true West Coast skier. So, here are the top five differences between the Beasts of the East and West Coast Best Coasts.

When you’re riding up the lift…

East Coast: “It doesn’t sound good down there *scratchy, granular ice sounds*.”

West Coast: “If the lift stopped here I could totally jump off into this pow without getting hurt.”

When you’re talking forecasts… 

East Coast: “The snow feels like cement today.”

West Coast: “*gets 6 inches of snow the night before* It’s only dust on crust.”

When you’re buying new skis…

East Coast: “What’s your best all-terrain ski?”

West Coast: “I need nothing less than a 100mm underfoot.”

When there’s ice…

East Coast: “Heard it’s straight ice fields out there today *still attempts to stomp the double backy*.”

West Coast: “Avoid the packed pow dude, it’s looking rough out there.”

When planning a ski vacation…

East Coast: “Let’s go to Colorado!”

West Coast: “I heard Alaska’s the new West.”